Apple Watch Sport's Display With Ion-X Glass Outperforms Sapphire Models in Bright Lighting

[MacRumors]

Although there has been much comparison of the scratch-resistance and weight differences between the two Apple Watch display cover options -- sapphire crystal and Ion-X glass -- not much has been scientifically tested regarding each model's reflectiveness. A new report by DisplayMate out today, however, shows just how much lower reflectivity and higher contrast there is on the Apple Watch Sport's Ion-X glass compared to the higher-end Apple Watch models with sapphire.

As DisplayMate points out, the two models have identical OLED displays internally, but thanks to the different outer coverings, the different models react uniquely in bright light situations. In summary, the site found that the Apple Watch with sapphire crystal display reflects 74 percent more ambient light than the Ion-X glass of the Sport model. The two displays behave almost identically in dark environments given the low levels of ambient light available for reflection.

Photo comparing Ion-X glass (left) and sapphire crystal (right) taken at 2,000 lux, which equates to moderate outdoor lighting​

For the Apple Watch Sport with Ion-X Glass we measured the Screen Reflectance to be 4.7 percent, while for the Apple Watch with Sapphire we measured 8.2 percent Screen Reflectance, which is 74 percent higher than with Glass. Both values are about 0.6 percent higher than just pure sapphire and glass alone, indicating that Apple has done an excellent job in optically bonding both the glass and sapphire to the OLED display without an air gap.

The 74 percent higher Reflectance of the Apple Watch with Sapphire means that its screen will reflect almost twice as much surrounding ambient light as the Apple Watch Sport with Glass. And it takes surprisingly little ambient light for that to make a significant visible difference...

Starting in the dark at 0 lux, DisplayMate increased light levels in successive stages of testing to discover the contrast ratios of each screen under increasingly stressful lighting situations. With both displays set to their maximum brightness, at 500 lux ("mid-range indoor ambient lighting") the display contrast ratios had fallen from 100 to 64 for Ion-X and 38 for sapphire, illustrating the distinct visibility advantage for the cheaper model. Jumping to 2,000 lux ("moderate outdoor lighting in the shade or an overcast sky"), the ratios drop to 17 and 10 for Ion-X glass and sapphire, respectively.

Chart comparing various aspects of reflectivity between the two displays​

For a full-on sunlight measurement of 10,000 lux, the Ion-X glass display contrast ratio fell to 3 while the Sapphire Crystal came in at just 2. So, while the Sport's display proves to handle moderate outdoor sunlight much better than the sapphire display, both are significantly impacted by harsh, direct sunlight.

Higher reflectivity and lower light transmittance were highlighted as challenges for Apple amid Apple's failed partnership with GT Advanced Technologies for sapphire production and rumors the iPhone 6 would include a sapphire display cover. Recent advancements in sapphire production technology may, however, overcome those difficulties, with future generations of products able to use sapphire that has better viewing characteristics than glass while retaining sapphire's advantages of high scratch resistance.

Article Link: Apple Watch Sport's Display With Ion-X Glass Outperforms Sapphire Models in Bright Lighting

 

[locoboi187]

My Sport's screen has a tiny scratch on it though any idea how one would be able to fix this?

 

[penajmz]

Let the whining BEGIN!

 

[jabingla2810]

The clarity from the lack of reflection will be negated by all them scratches!

 

[Col4bin]

IF I were considering purchasing and Apple Watch, I'd naturally go for the Sport model… but only based on it's lower price point. (The better on-screen contrast with the Ion-X glass is an added bonus.)

 

[Z400Racer37]

WORKAROUND: Don't aim watch face at the sun.

 

[AngerDanger]

Anybody who puts on the watch to the right will become Watch Man and gain the ability to tell the time down to the nanosecond.

 

[Dilster3k]

Now that's just awkward.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

I'm waiting for...

Ion-X glass causes more battery loss!

 

[Col4bin]

My Sport's screen has a tiny scratch on it though any idea how one would be able to fix this?

Apple Watch 2.

JK—stainless steel polish seems like the way to go in removing "minor" glass surface scratches: http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/apple/how-repair-scratched-smashed-broken-apple-watch-3609591/

Edit: My bad, my reply should have been catered specifically towards scratched stainless steel portions of the Apple watch.

The only reference I've been able to pull for glass surface scratches is by Apple Genius Bar appt/screen replacement: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-sport-screen-scuffed-chipped.1883931/

 

[philipk]

The old yin-yang. Everything has a trade-off.

Clear glass reflects everything. Glare-free glass changes colors. And so on.

This doesn't surprise me.

 

[mrfoof82]

Not entirely surprising. The Sport model is the entry level device (largest percentage of units solid), but moreover, the one that would see heavier use outdoors due to its intended use cases (exercise). In other words, screwing up the "lowest end model" would probably have the largest impact on profits -- anything other than excellent performance per dollar was simply not an option.

I went with the Sport to minimize my initial outlay (I expect I'll bite for next year's hardware). The fluoroelastomer bands have been super comfortable. Visibility even at the lowest brightness has been impeccable (despite lots of outdoor exercise). It also weighs substantially less (case is 30g instead of 50g). I like the idea of a Stainless Steel watch with a sapphire face, but not having worn a watch for nearly 20 years, the Sport has proven excellent. I may opt for a regular stainless steel watch in the future, when I've acclimated to wearing something on my wrist.

It's also satisfying my main use case: 8 pounds already lost, with 15 to go (3 lbs under my medically ideal weight).

 

[dumastudetto]

My Apple Watch Edition has the same problem in bright sunlight. It's annoying, but overall I value the social status I acquired with my purchase more than worrying about trying to use it.

 

[locoboi187]

Apple Watch 2.

JK—stainless steel polish seems like the way to go in removing "minor" glass surface scratches: http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/apple/how-repair-scratched-smashed-broken-apple-watch-3609591/

I thought stainless steel polish is just for the metal surfaces on the side, not for use on the actual glass?

 

[cambookpro]

WORKAROUND: Don't aim watch face at the sun.

That's hardly a workaround when you're outdoors. You don't have to point it directly at the sun to not be able to read it properly...


For what it's worth, I can hardly read my Sport screen in bright outdoor light. I can just make out the time but not the weather or calendar complications. I still have to cover it with my hand to read it, so I doubt in day-to-day life it makes much difference whether you have the Sapphire display or not.

 

[Tankmaze]

So the cheaper one is actually better than the expensive one, I need someone to tell this to Taylor Swift. And see what she can do to solve this.

 

[mattopotamus]

This does not surprise me. My SS is pretty hard to read in direct sunlight.

 

[nope7308]

You're wearing it wrong?

 

[phpmaven]

I definitely notice the difference when I'm outside in direct sunlight. It can be difficult to see. I still wouldn't dream of having a non sapphire display. I'de rather have to squint once in a while than have a scratched up crystal.

 

[Unami]

so it's scratches vs. reflections. super.

My Sport's screen has a tiny scratch on it though any idea how one would be able to fix this?

get a screen protector - it will probably make the scratch invisible and protect you from more. i already got about 10 tiny scratches before getting one. it's still a screen protector, so it will probably feel and look a bit worse than the native screen, but there's only so much you can do. after getting those scratches after about 4 weeks of having the watch - and without noticeable bumping or scratching it - i'm doubtful, if ion-x glass was the right choice for a watch-screen. now hearing about the more reflective sapphire, it seems like there still is no auch thing as a free lunch...

 

[Quu]

My Apple Watch Edition has the same problem in bright sunlight. It's annoying, but overall I value the social status I acquired with my purchase more than worrying about trying to use it.

lol

 

[Vanilla35]

While this is pretty funny to see, you can't really complain because the sport edition device isn't marketed as a cheaper version; it's marketed as being sport oriented. Therefore it is not surprising to see it have better outdoor visibility (although I'm sure it's an unintended consequence).

 

[Col4bin]

I thought stainless steel polish is just for the metal surfaces on the side, not for use on the actual glass?

GREAT POINT. Revising my original reply now.

 

[Grimlok]

I've never had an issue with looking at my sapphire apple watch with the sun blazing outside.

 

[Thunderhawks]

You're wearing it wrong?

Bright Light Gate?